ELAC

What is ELAC?

The role of the ELAC is to advise the principal and School Site Council on programs and services for English learners. The ELAC acts in an advisory capacity. It is not a decision making body, but it is the voice of the English learner community. Specifically the ELAC:

Advises on the development of services for English learners in the Balanced ScoreCard/Single Plan for Student Achievement (BSC/SPSA).

Assists in the development of the school’s needs assessment and efforts to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.

Has representation on District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC).

What is the composition of the ELAC?

The ELAC membership must include parents of English learners (ELs), but may also include other duly elected family & community members. The percentage of parents who are elected must be at least equal to the percentage of English learners at the school site. For example, if 50% of the students at a given site are English learners, at least 50% of the membership of the ELAC must be parents of ELs. The remaining 50% of the committee members can be the principal, community members, teachers of participating students, instructional aides, parent liaisons, other parents and staff.

How are members elected to the ELAC?

Only parents of English learners may vote for members of the ELAC. All parents of ELs must receive ballots.

When should ELAC elections take place? What is the term of office?

ELAC elections take place on even years. ELAC elections must be completed in the fall at the same time as School Site Council elections. The term of office is two years. If there are vacancies, schools may conduct elections at any time, or refer to the ELAC by-laws as how to fill the vacancies.

Can elections be organized so that ELAC members’ terms of office are staggered?

Yes, this would provide for continuity and schools are encouraged to do this. As new members are elected to the committee, “experienced” members would serve as models. The committee could continue its important work without the interruption of beginning anew every two years.

Must we elect an ELAC if there are parents of English Learners on the School Site Council?

Yes, you must have an ELAC, state law requires this committee unless they relinquish their responsibilities according to State law. (See next question.)

Can the ELAC delegate their responsibilities to the SSC?

After the ELAC has been trained on their responsibilities as a committee, it may relinquish their responsibilities of all tasks required, to the SSC for up to two years (EC 52870). In order to relinquish their responsibilities to the SSC, the members of the ELAC would have to vote to do so. Once this action is taken, then accepted and recorded in the minutes by the SSC, The SSC functions as the ELAC for all purposes required by law or regulations.

WHY a foundation?

The reality is the money is not coming in the near future and the schools need partners. Educators are looking to foundations to raise money for programs their districts would not otherwise be able to afford.

California is a breeding ground for school foundations after a 1979 state proposition limiting the amount of property taxes, the primary funder of public education, forced districts to look for other financial sources.

“If there is an administrator who thinks he does not need a foundation of his own or a partnership with a community foundation, then he is an administrator who doesn't understand the value of a foundation,” “People -- alumni, retired staff, corporations, businesses, community members, other foundations, current boards and staff, or former community members -- will give to support the education of the children of their communities. To not offer this opportunity is, in my opinion, myopic.”

“Additionally, many do not know or understand their fundraising potential,” “People universally are interested in three key areas in their community: education, healthcare and economic development. If prompted properly, they will support those initiatives.” Although labor intensive, it is a well known fact that people give to people.

“Leary of school budget practices, certain donors were willing to support a district initiative only if their grant was channeled and managed by the school foundation.”

Orientation meeting goals

Inform volunteers about the mission, bylaws, structure, strategic plan, budget and history of the foundation

Explain the responsibility and expectations of a new board member (financial contribution, committee participation, et cetera)

Provide a mentor to offer guidance through the beginning stages of board membership

The purpose of the foundation is to:

enhance the excellent educational programs that are synonymous with VMMS and encourage the community to be active participants in student education.

The goal of the foundation is to:

Promote science and technology instruction, engineering design and building, sports, Debate, Math, Arts, Drama, Music and support innovation in the classroom through teacher grants.

Who gets the money?

Funding is requested by teachers through a teacher-request form, and the forms are then presented to the VMMS Foundation board of directors for approval.

- Strong community and school leadership involvement is essential in spearheading such an organization. District staff support is a barometer as to the success of the school foundation.

- Funding for operations is difficult money to raise, so a clear plan to sustain the work of the foundation must be established early on.